HISTORICAL ACCOUNT OF THE ORIGIN 



OF THE 



AMERICAN PHILOSOPHICAL SOCIETY 



It is generally known that the American Philosoph- 

 ical Society, as at present constituted, was formed at 

 the latter end of the year 1768, by the union of two 

 associations which existed at that time, one of which 

 was called "The American Society held at Philadel- 

 phia for .promoting and propagating useful knowl- 

 edge, " and the other "The American Philosophical 

 Society"; but its history does not begin at that 

 period: in order to have a full view of it, we ought 

 to trace to their origin the two Societies by the 

 union of which it was formed, follow them in their 

 progress to the time of their junction, and what is not 

 less interesting, we should be informed of their dif- 

 ferent views, their different interests, and the means 

 by which their union was effected. 



This is the more necessary, that although little more 

 than seventy years have elapsed since that union took 

 place, different opinions already prevail, as to the 

 origin of one of the two Societies which, sacrificing 

 their little jealousies to the honor of their country 

 and the advantage of Science, agreed to unite their 



